Mechanical characteristics of novel polyester/NiTi wires braided composite stent for the medical application

Stents have been widely used in percutaneous surgery to treat stenosis diseases. The braided NiTi stent, as a promising prototype, still has limitations of low radial force and loose structure. In the present study, a newly integrated composite stent was designed and braided with NiTi wires and polyester multifilament yarns by textile technology. The mechanical properties of four composite stents and the control bare NiTi stent were evaluated by in vitro compression, bending and anti-torsion tests. The results showed that integrated polyester/NiTi composite stents were superior in radial support. The stents could keep patency even when highly curved and had lower stent straightening force. Composite stents with certain structure stayed stable under twisting. The configuration of NiTi wires in composite stents could significantly impact stent deformation under twisting.